Have you ever heard of a “gentle C-section?” If you haven’t, don’t worry; you aren’t alone. We weren’t entirely sure what it was either — until we saw a clip from a doctor in Venezuela delivering a baby via this method.
During a gentle C-section, the baby is delivered slowly, as opposed to all at once. In this way, it’s similar to a vaginal birth, which is why some call it a “natural C-section.”
So, what exactly is the difference between a gentle C-section and a traditional one? CNN explained it like this:
The natural C-section begins in essentially the same manner as the traditional form. Once in the operating room, though, doctors lower the obstructing drape so that both parents are able to see their baby’s birth. The baby is slowly removed from the abdomen. Parental wishes, such as lowering lights or playing music, are respected as much as possible within the bounds of safety.
One German study found that gentle C-sections were as safe as the traditional form and resulted in improved rates of breastfeeding and maternal satisfaction.
The clip below shows a real-live birth (and yes, it’s pretty graphic — as births, and surgeries, tend to be):
And another:
